Boeing has announced an agreement with the Defence Material Organisation (DMO) to extend their Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC) for an additional two years.
The new agreement extends Boeing’s commitment, which was the first of its kind in Australia, to identify small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and bring them into Boeing’s global supply chain.
To date, the OAIC initiative has delivered more than US$190 million worth of contracts to Australian industry, with 10 SMEs currently competing for an additional US$260 million worth of work across a broad range of Boeing’s commercial and defence programs.
“OAIC is creating enduring value for Boeing, for Australian industry and for the Commonwealth,” Ian Thomas, President, Boeing Australia and South Pacific, said.
“Australia represents Boeing’s largest footprint outside the US.
“Through our presence here and through OAIC, we are working to ensure that we are tapping into the right tools, talent and technologies in order to be more competitive in Australia and to be a better, more agile global company.”
“Over the past three years, OAIC has coordinated a range of site visits and meetings between Australian SMEs and major Boeing sub-contractors.
“The OAIC’s efforts over the past three years have been commendable and have contributed significantly to Defence’s objective of developing an internationally competitive and sustainable Australian Defence industry base,” Terry Whelan, Head Export Programs and Industry Engagement, DMO, said.
“We expect an improved flow of benefits to industry as a result of this extension.”